Rwanda National Police (RNP) has stepped up efforts to crack down on cattle theft and illegal meat trade, warning that those involved will be relentlessly pursued. Cattle theft is a concern that Police say should come to an end, eliminating the long network of thieves that steal other people’s cows including those provided through ‘Girinka’ program. Cattle theft is a serious concern that must be addressed, said ACP Boniface Rutikanga, RNP spokesperson. Thieves steal cows, often slaughtering them from bushes and selling the meat through legitimate butcheries. ALSO READ: Police bothered by risk posed by substandard boats on Lake Kivu Rutikanga emphasised the devastating impact of cattle theft on vulnerable families, particularly those who have received cows through the government's Girinka program, which aims to combat malnutrition and poverty. These families rely on these cows for milk, manure, and income. When a cow is stolen, it sets them back significantly, he said. This is not just a crime against individuals; it undermines the government's efforts to improve the lives of its citizens, Rutikanga said. We will not tolerate this criminal activity. “What should be our responsibility if we don’t apprehend them?” ACP Rutikanga explained that cattle theft involves a long chain of people. “It’s a network; it is not conducted by one person. It involves many people. We should arrest them and it's part of our mandate,” he added. In Rutsiro District, where cattle theft has been a persistent problem, authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend the criminals. We have increased night patrols since October 2024 and we’re working closely with butcheries to ensure they only receive meat from designated places, said Dative Kayitesi, Mayor of Rutsiro District. Since December 2024, 20 individuals suspected of involvement in cattle theft have been arrested in Mushonyi Sector, Rutsiro District. The district is currently conducting an assessment of over 10,000 cows provided through ‘Girinka’ since 2016 to determine the extent of losses and theft cases. The problem of cattle theft extends beyond Rutsiro. In Rubavu District, which borders DR Congo, it is believed that some stolen cattle are smuggled across the border to Goma town. It's a major problem here, said Jean Baptiste Mutangana, a dairy farmer in Rubavu. Last year, over 200 cows were stolen from our community. Meanwhile, Rubavu District says the “long network that starts from farm to the market” is being discouraged through joint collaboration with dairy farmers and security organs and “some [cattle thieves] are in custody.”
